Hotel Post, Alpbach, Austria
Hotel Post in Alpbach, Austria, is situated in one of the most picturesque villages in the Tirol region. While Alpbach may not be known for a lively après-ski scene, its collection of classic wooden chalet hotels, traditional stube restaurants, and serene bars make it an excellent choice for a rejuvenating mountain getaway. Nestled beside the impeccably groomed pistes accessible via the Wiedersbergerhorn gondola, the area also offers easy snow-shoeing trails, a 7km toboggan run, and torchlit hikes. Throughout the Alpbachtal-Wildschönau valley, mountain huts beckon with servings of käsespätzle (Tirolean macaroni cheese) and spiced gluhwein. For an authentic experience, stay at the Post, a charming family-run hotel located in the heart of the village – offering the best value in town.
Rates start at £138 per night with breakfast included; website: post-alpbach.at
Les Grands Montets Hotel & Spa, Argentière, France
Similar to other top-tier ski destinations, Chamonix can become crowded during the winter season. However, opting to stay just 10 minutes away in Argentière provides a dual advantage: convenient access to the Grands Montets ski runs and snow parks coupled with a serene accommodation option. Argentière, the birthplace of some of France’s most renowned guides, offers picturesque winter walks with mapped routes from the village, showcasing stunning views of Mont Blanc. Moreover, it allows easy entry to both Switzerland and Italy via the Mont Blanc tunnel. Consider lodging at Les Grands Montets for a blend of vintage style, relaxing spa treatments, and snug rooms exuding a classic Savoyard ambiance.
Rates start at £146 per night with breakfast included; website: hotel-grands-montets.com
Mineral Lodge, Sainte Foy, France
Nestled in the Tarentaise valley, Sainte Foy is enveloped by some of the finest ski touring terrain in the Alps, boasting enduring powder and expansive green and blue runs that render it an ideal destination for beginners. Beyond skiing, non-skiers have a myriad of options, including dog sledding, ice climbing, and forest bathing. Additionally, there’s the opportunity to navigate a piste on a mountain kart or soar above the slopes on a tandem paraglide. Mineral Lodge, located a few minutes’ drive from the village, offers five elegant bedrooms and communal lounge and dining areas adorned with distinctive furniture, set against walls of brushed steel and glass.
Rates start at £189 per night with breakfast included; website: minerallodge.fr
The Moss, Obergurgl, Austria
Nestled at the conclusion of the extensive Oetztal valley, where through traffic is absent, Obergurgl stands as a serene and laid-back resort. With convenient bus connections to neighboring Hochgurgl, it offers an array of easily navigable blue pistes and more challenging reds. For walkers and nature enthusiasts, a visit to the Hohe Mut Alm exhibition on the Oetztal glacier provides insights into its flora, fauna, and the impact of climate change. Non-skiers can engage in activities like hiking, snowshoeing, or indulge in the Aqua Dome in nearby Soelden—a thermal spa boasting hot outdoor pools. The Moss, a recently renovated hotel, emanates a contemporary ambiance with clean design and features a brand-new wellness area encompassing an indoor pool, sauna, and steam room.
Rates start at £138 per night with breakfast included; website: themoss.at
Hotel Meleze, Grimentz, Switzerland
Nestled in the breathtaking Val d’Anniviers, Grimentz is an enchanting village adorned with mazot (traditional stone and wooden farmhouses) and flower-adorned chalets. The village provides lift access to exceptional off-piste and touring terrain. A network of winter hiking trails radiates from the village, complemented by toboggan runs and cross-country skiing tracks—ideal for building an appetite before savoring hearty Valais cuisine and the town’s distinctive glacier wine. This wine, aged for 10-15 years in larchwood barrels, is known as the “Sherry” of Valais. Opt for a stay at the Hotel Meleze, a traditional chalet featuring five snug bedrooms and a restaurant specializing in traditional Anniviard fondue with spiced meats.
Rates start at £162 per night with breakfast included; website: hotel-meleze.ch
Mountain Lodge, Les Crosets, Swizerland
Situated at 1,700m, the quaint Les Crosets boasts an impressive snow record without attracting the crowds seen in the rest of Porte du Soleil. This makes it convenient to access the 600km of interconnected pistes before returning to the village for a tranquil evening. Snowboard enthusiasts will delight in the Superpark, featuring various jumps, half- and quarter-pipes, while those not inclined to ski can explore the 40km of hiking trails. The family-friendly Mountain Lodge, a boutique hotel, offers an outstanding spa, cinema, and stylish rooms.
A week’s stay starts from £1,095 per person with half-board; website: mountain-lodge.co.uk
Romantic Hotel Jolanda Sport, Gressoney la Trinité, Italy
Lined with historic wooden houses and adorned with cobblestone streets, this village in the Aosta Valley is a rare gem—a tranquil haven with access to an outstanding ski area, specifically the 80km Monte Rosa circuit. Beyond skiing, there’s excellent cross-country skiing, and an opportunity to delve into the region’s Walser history (a German-speaking group that settled in medieval times) through a small museum and an 18th-century house. Opt for accommodation at the Hotel Jolanda Sport, featuring cozy wood-paneled bedrooms, a wellness area with saunas, a steam room, and a hamam, as well as a rustic restaurant offering commendable vegetarian and vegan options.
Rates start at £102 per night with breakfast included; website: hoteljolandasport.com
Jagdschloss Resort, Kühtai, Austria
Perched at 2,020m, the serene Kühtai stands as one of Austria’s highest resorts, ensuring a reliable abundance of snow, often persisting until the close of April. Largely undiscovered by the British market, it proves to be an ideal destination for experiencing a few days of classic Alpine vistas, snowshoe hikes, and enchanting sleigh rides. A delightful lunch on the terrace at the Kühtaier Dorfstadl offers panoramic mountain views along with hearty Tirolean classics such as Wienerschnitzel and gröstl (fried potatoes and bacon topped with a fried egg). The Jagdschloss Resort seamlessly combines contemporary style with Tirolean influences, presenting expertly mixed cocktails in the chic Schloss bar, traditional raclette evenings, and comfortable accommodations ranging from wood-paneled attics to modern family suites and self-catering studios.
Rates start at £120 per night with breakfast included; website: jagdschloss-resort.at
Hotel Alpenhof, Filzmoos, Salzburgerland, Austria
Featuring a variety of easy runs, Filzmoos proves to be a delightful destination for beginner and intermediate skiers, all while exuding Austria’s quintessential chocolate-box charm. Stringent building regulations have shielded the village from high-rise developments and sprawling hotels, preserving its picturesque appeal. Even during school holidays, the lifts remain relatively quiet, and the pistes uncrowded, making Filzmoos an excellent family-friendly choice. For non-skiers, horse-drawn sleigh rides and ice skating are available. The après-ski scene revolves around establishments like the Happy Filzmoos, the stylish new Alpin Bar 87, or the more traditional Happy’s Umbrella Bar. The Alpenhof, a traditional Tirolean hotel, boasts a well-equipped wellness area offering herbal massages, themed saunas, and an indoor/outdoor pool.
Rates start at £112 per night with breakfast included; website: filzmoos.at
Frutt Mountain Resort, Melchsee-Frutt, Switzerland
Melchsee-Frutt, a quaint and relatively undiscovered resort for non-Swiss skiers, exudes charm with its traffic-free center nestled on the shores of Lake Melchsee. Embraced by two small ski areas, Balmeregghorn and Erzegg, the village boasts scenic winter hiking trails, cross-country ski tracks, and a tobogganing run leading to the neighboring hamlet of Stöckalp. The Frutt Mountain Resort, positioned at 1,900m above the village, is accessible solely by cable car, providing a delightful sense of seclusion. Once there, everything you need is within reach, including three restaurants (including an Italian and a steakhouse), the Mountain Lodge Spa featuring a panoramic sauna, and an in-house kids’ club.
Rates start at £240 per night with breakfast included; website: fruttmountainresort.com.
